PLAB Tests – Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board
The PLAB test is the main route by non UK medical graduates can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK. There are a number of different routes to registration with a license to practise in the UK.
Who needs to sit a PLAB Test?
You will need to sit a PLAB test
- IF you are a national from outside the UK, European Economic Area or Switzerland and have graduated from a medical school outside the UK
OR
- you are a UK national who has graduated from a medical school outside the UK, European Economic Area or Switzerland
- AND You do not Have European Community Rights
- AND You DO NOT have ONE of the following:
- A sponsorship under an arrangement provided by the GMC;
- An approved post-graduate qualification;
- Eligibility to enter the GP or specialist register.
A PLAB test covers what is expected of those doctors who intend to practise in the UK. These tests are designed to assess the knowledge and skills of international medical graduates."
Even if you don’t meet the above criteria you could still be eligible to apply for registration with a license to practise without having to pass a PLAB test. From September 2017 PLAB candidates must pass the written and practical parts of the test within a maximum of four attempts at each and any application for registration with a license to practise must be approved within two years of passing the part 2 practical exam.
Preparing for a PLAB test
You will need to hold an acceptable primary medical qualification or show that you are eligible for the qualification to be transferred and be able to demonstrate a necessary knowledge of English. This can be done through sitting and achieving the minimum required academic scores in IELTS – International English Language Testing System.
The PLAB test covers what is expected of those doctors who intend to practise in the UK. It is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of international medical graduates. There is a part 1 examination and a part 2 practical OSCE assessment – objective structured clinical examination.
- The test incorporates GMC guidance on good medical practise and outcomes for provisionally registered doctors.
- The average pass rate for part 1 over the last few years is around 50% with the average pass mark for part 2 being nearer 70%
- If you pass part 1 you can take part 2 as soon as the results for part 1 have been issued and you must take part 2 within 3 years of passing part 1. This will change to within 2 years from September 2017.
- If you pass part 2 you can apply to register with a license to practise. From September 2017 you must have your application for registration with a license to practice approved within 2 years of the date you sat part 2.
If you have any questions or need help and advice on any aspects of registering with the GMC call us – we can help.
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